Directed and edited by Peter Sharp. More at The Liberators.
Video from KarmaTube
To trust or not to trust ... perhaps that is the question?
Our reptilian brains have evolved to distrust "the other". This has served us well from an evolutionary standpoint, where our basic survival was at stake. But now, in an ever expanding, connected, enlightened world, where civilization has helped to provide for our basic needs, is this who we wish to be?
I mean it is a basic question -- is the glass half full or half empty? Are you a trusting person or not?
It sort of "defines" your world view.
And yet there is a persistent drum beat of skepticism, cynicism, and out-right fear mongering that makes up much of the current day information feeds. It takes a strong-willed person to ignore the "click-bait".
I have always been served well by conceptual test if a given idea is a good one or not: does it scale?
Just imagine two worlds. One world in which there is no trust, every stranger is assumed to be a foe, or out to take advantage of us, where we close up and constrict at every interaction and exchange with others. Or another world in which you give each person you meet the benefit of the doubt, an assumption of good intent as the basis for interaction, allowing us to be open to new possibilities or new experiences.
To me there is only one answer to the question "to trust or not to trust." Decide which world you want to live in, how you wish to go through this world, whether you will be at peace with your fellow man. Or better, be at peace within yourself. And feel the connections, community, and support of others.
Just like the young man in the video.
Oh, and I trust my next post will not have to wait another three years. That was a bit excessive. ;-) Let the games begin!
2 comments:
Glad to see you are back at it and a great "return" post! :)
I begin trusting but once that trust is lost it takes awhile to earn it back. I do not let those in the past that have betrayed my trust change who I am and how I interact with others. I would have missed out on some amazing experiences and people if I had.
Now to comment on the video, I would do this in some places in Europe but not in the US. That is mainly because I am a woman and like it or not, we are treated differently. Men have no problems in certain places grabbing things they should not...even when women are not wearing a blindfold! That is a whole other issue though.
So, I will end this by saying thank you for this post. The recent events of the US and the world have been making me sad. I need to remember there are good people out there and to continue to try to do my best to spread some of that trust and goodness. Namaste my friend.
Ah, good to hear from you Chantel.
It's a really good point about how our society differs for men and women, sadly, to this day.
I suspect there are many areas around the world where this experiment would be unwise. Yet, I am still intrigued by the basic question: I trust you. Do you trust me? I think that may change the dynamic, or at least has the potential to.
And the setting here, in front of a cathedral, in a very public space, also seems to improve the odds of avoiding antisocial behavior.
Let's just consider this a metaphor for the world view of "being trusting". It can be tough when it is held by one person alone in society. But consider the idea of a trusting society, and how that would reinforce itself. Like so many things, it is about the culture. Can a culture change? I think so. How does that happen? Well, one person at a time may be one of the answers.
Thanks for your visit Chantel. Namaste indeed!
Post a Comment